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The children started working on the fort at Munn Woods Park along Clear Creek just after their summer vacation started about three weeks ago.

City officials said the fort is on land covered by a conservation agreement with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, which prevents building. In addition, it violates the city's policy on park land use.

"We were extremely mad and just a lot of mixed emotions," said Liam Struck, Ames "Fort Kid."

"It's like our summer project and it is our sense of accomplishment really," said Chiara Travesset, Ames "Fort Kid."

The group have named themselves the "Fort Kids." They have launched a Facebook page to share photos and stories about the fort, using #‎savethefort‬

City officials said they plan in a couple weeks to meet with the kids to discuss the decision to tear down the fort. The fort is expected to be torn down by Wednesday.

"If somebody were in there and it were to collapse and somebody got hurt then the city is going to be liable for that if it's on city property," said Abraham.

What the kids call hard work to build the fort is what the city of Ames calls illegal.

"We want these areas to be open to everybody and we want them to be safe," said Keith Abraham, Ames Parks and Recreation director.

The city of Ames said the fort is against city rules and should be taken down by the end of the day Wednesday.

"Please, don't take it down because it's such a great place to be," said Mia Lorenz, Ames "Fort Kid."

"We spend a lot of time on this and to see like all our hard work go away was really upsetting to use," said Struck. "We don't want to take it down so I think the city of Ames is going to take it down because we're not taking it down."

What's your opinion on the fort -- should it stay or go? Add your comment in the box below or on the KCCI Facebook page.